What is residential respite care?  

Residential respite care is a short-term stay in one of our care homes. It is for those who require support in their daily lives, with tasks such as help with personal care, washing, dressing, eating and taking medication.

There can be several reasons why residential respite care may be needed, such as providing you, a carer, with a break, making it possible for you to go on holiday or a work trip, with the peace of mind that your loved one is in safe hands.

Residential respite care can be needed when someone needs specialist care after an operation or illness. Whatever the reason, there are many benefits for a stay in a residential respite care home.

What are the benefits of residential respite care?

We’ve put together a list of the benefits below.

1. A test run to live the experience before making a long-term move

For many carers and their families, accepting the need for additional care can be a hard and emotional decision. But sometimes care at home may become too difficult or demanding and therefore you are left with no choice but to find a care home to provide long-term care. 

When the time comes to seek additional help and move into a care home, the home must be the right fit. Residential respite care can be a great way of trialling a care home for a short time before making a decision. It provides an opportunity for you and your loved one to experience the care and comfort of staying at a care home. You will be able to test out the environment, spend time in the home, meet the care team, try the food and understand the lifestyle before the person in need of care makes a long-term move.

2. Strengthened relationships following a much-needed break 

Caregiving can be exhausting and overwhelming. If you and the person you’re caring for haven’t had any time apart from each other in weeks or months, then things that are normally brushed off can become much larger problems and frustrations can appear. Residential respite care can provide a much-needed break for both you and the person you’re caring for. This can help reduce stress and improve your relationship with each other once reunited. 

3. Improved mental wellbeing

Often when someone is being cared for, they tend to have limited social contact, often only seeing you, other carers and close family on a regular basis. A short stay in a residential respite care home can mean that they interact with new people, develop new interests and may even meet some new friends. Being in a different environment and socialising with people they wouldn’t normally spend time with can be very beneficial for a person’s wellbeing. 

Respite support allows you to take a break from your role as a carer to rest, recharge your batteries and relax by making alternative arrangements to support the person you are looking after. We understand it can be hard leaving your loved ones but knowing they are being cared for in a safe environment by a qualified, experienced care team gives you the opportunity to fully switch off and not worry. This will allow you to do the things you enjoy and boost your own mental wellbeing.

4. Try new activities

Residential respite care means that, as a visiting resident, they will have the chance to take part in fun, meaningful activities. In our OSJCT care homes everyone is welcome to join in a range of individual and group activities which help boost mental and physical well-being.  

5. A change of scenery 

Sometimes a simple change in scenery is all that is needed to boost someone’s mood. At OSJCT, we have designed our care homes to be welcoming and friendly to make our visitors feel as comfortable as possible. All of our homes offer residents a real home from home experience in a calm and friendly environment. Residents can enjoy daily social activities or have a relaxing cup of tea in one of the cosy lounges or landscaped gardens.

How we can help! 
 
For more information surrounding respite care, we have created a brochure that shares more details about respite care with OSJCT.  

Alternatively, if you are interested in one of our services then feel free to get in touch and one of our friendly team members will be happy to help and answer any questions you may have.